Background/Objectives: Expenditures due to irrational use of drugs have been a strain on the meagre
health budgets of several developing countries and inappropriate prescribing has been identified in many
health facilities in developing countries. This study examines the prescription pattern in a secondary
health facility.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used in this study. Three hundred and three randomly
selected prescriptions issued to patients attending out-patients' clinics in the facility over a period of three
months were examined. Data obtained was analyzed using EPI-INFO 2000 computer software.
Results: Mean number of drugs per prescription in the health facility is 3.99 ± 1.55. At least 4 drugs were
prescribed in 61.6% of the prescriptions. Generic prescribing was generally low. Out of a total of 1219
drugs prescribed 511 (41.9%) were prescribed in generic names. Analgesics, antimalarials, antibiotics
and antihypertensives accounted for 19.7%, 10.2%, 13.0% and 4.9% of the drugs prescribed respectively.
Only 124 (40.9%) of the prescriptions had all drugs prescribed available in the health facility.
Conclusion: This study found practice of polypharmacy prevalent as found in other studies in
developing countries among prescribers and prescription in generic names is low. Regular orientation
and re-orientation of prescribers on rational drug prescription and prescription in generic names in
conformity with national drug policies is necessary.